Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Laura Hruby
at the Opening of the Orange Digital Center
May 11, 2023
Ion Creanga University
Good afternoon, Prime Minister Recean, dear colleagues. I am excited to be here to mark the opening of the first Orange Digital Center in Moldova because of what it means for Moldova’s future.
The state-of-the-art Orange Digital Center will expand access to digital education and enhance the capacity of Moldovan citizens, from students to teachers to entrepreneurs, to participate in the digital economy. This center will further drive digital innovation and learning in Moldova and the programs offered will empower Moldovans with the skills they will need to succeed and to lead in the future.
For many years, the United States through USAID, Sweden, and UKaid have supported the development of Moldova’s digital education and skills sector — with incredible results. The digital sector here is growing rapidly each year, now contributing more than 7% of the country’s GDP. In 2022 alone, IT exports increased over 51 percent and totaled $455M, and the IT sector added 2,000 jobs.
Moldovan robotics teams won international competitions, and the national digital policy framework advanced in key areas such as ecommerce, digitalization, and e-business. Improving the digital skills of Moldovans will make businesses more competitive and better able to compete in the European and global marketplace.
I want to thank Orange Moldova for their partnership in the creation of this center, as well as the Pedagogical University for its longstanding leadership in digital education.
I look forward to continuing these critical partnerships and seeing the impacts of this center here in Chisinau and across the country.
Thank you.
